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FRANCES THE MUTE, the highly anticipated follow-up to the Mars Volta's stunning debut, DE-LOUSED IN THE COMATORIUM, finds the band's masterminds, Cedric Bixler Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (both formerly of At the Drive-In), diving further into their bizarre, unique sonic aesthetic. Here various forms of Latin music merge with ambient passages, jazzy interludes, and fierce progressive rock. The Latin influence, in fact, is more evident than ever, with Bixler Zavala often alternating between Spanish and English lyrics, and full-on salsa sections providing a melodic respite from the energetic chaos (particularly on "L'Via L'Viaquez," which features pianist Larry Harlow). Despite the complexity of FRANCES THE MUTE's suite-like song structures, the tracks form a fascinating whole, never losing focus of the group's key elements--Bixler Zavala's stunningly expressive vocals and Rodriguez-Lopez's amazingly proficient guitar heroics. A challenging and fascinating album, FRANCES THE MUTE reinforces the Mars Volta's reputation as a bold, iconoclastic band.
Composer: David Campbell .
The Mars Volta: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Cedric Bixler-Zavala.
Personnel: John Frusciante (guitar); Ernesto Molina, Fernando Moreno, Diego Casillas, Joel Derouin, Roberto Cani, Peter Kent, Josephina Vergara, Mario Diaz de Leon (violin); Suzie Katayama, Larry Corbett (cello); Adrian Terrazas (flute, tenor saxophone); Salvador Hernandez, Flea , Wayne Bergeron (trumpet); Nick Lane (trombone); William Reichenbach (bass trombone); Randy Jones (tuba); Larry Harlow (piano, Clavinet); Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. (piano); Lenny Castro (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Rich Costey.
Recording information: 291 South Lake Street, Burbank, CA; 3222 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; 3400 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; 373 Ewingsdale, Byron Bay, Australia; 441 W. 53rd Street, New York, NY; 453 Mario Julia Industrial Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico; 5161 North Cartwright Ave, N Hollywood, CA; 6540 Matilija, Van Nuys, CA.
Photographers: Rupert Truman; Storm Thorgerson; Peter Curzon.Rolling Stone (No. 969, p.108) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[T]he Mars Volta's second album is an exhilarating transgression: concussive, nonlinear rhythms; mad-dog guitar alegebra; bloody-nightmare suites hung in bilingual free verse. In short, the beastly spawn of Radiohead's OK COMPUTER and Rush's 2112..."
Spin (p.63) - Ranked #12 in Spin's "40 Best Albums Of 2005" - "[T]heir space jams still have roots in our doomed stratosphere, and their noodling has a hardcore pulse."
Spin (pp.83-4) - "77 dizzying minutes...with timbales, loping strings, guest musicians and tortured moans....The Mars Volta are typing as fast as they can, throwing up screen after screen of concepts and rhythms." - Grade: A-
Uncut (p.91) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[M]ighty entertaining. Beyond the obvious ambition and virtuosity, it's zeal which makes this so exhilarating..."
Alternative Press (p.130) - 5 out of 5 - "[I]t's already the most riveting album of 2005 - provided you're ready to carve a wide enough hole in your consciousness to accept it."
Magnet (p.106) - "The diversity of this album will appeal to all sorts of instrument-emporium loiterers....To the chagrin of jaded, knee-jerk critics and musicians, the Mars Volta is taking rock music in that elusive direction: forward."
The Wire (p.58) - "[A]lmost literally breathtaking music."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.63) - Ranked #39 in Mojo's "The 50 Best Albums Of 2005" - "[T]hey risked ridicule to deliver the sublime."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.88) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[I]t is quite possibly the most ambitious, compelling and rewarding rock album you will hear this year."
Mars Volta - Frances The Mute Songs
| 1 | Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus: Sarcophagi/Umbilical Syllables/Facilis ...: Saracophagi / Umbilical Syllables / Facilis Descenus Averni / Con Safo | | | |
| 2 | Widow See All 5 | | | |
| 3 | Via l'Viaquez, L' | | | |
| 4 | Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: Vade Mecum  | | | |
| 5 | Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: Pour Another Icepick | | | |
| 6 | Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: Pisacis (Phra-Men-Ma) | | | |
| 7 | Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: Con Safo | | | |
| 8 | Cassandra Geminni: Tarantism | | | |
| 9 | Cassandra Geminni: Plant a Nail in the Navel Stream | | | |
| 10 | Cassandra Geminni: Faminepulse | | | |
| 11 | Cassandra Geminni: Multiple Spouse Wounds | | | |
| 12 | Cassandra Geminni: Sarcophagi | | | |
Frances The Mute Music Review
Average Rating: (4 out of 5 stars)    List All 63 Reviews Unbelievable
It's great to see a band with such creativity. Bringing back the epic conceptual albums of old. This has given me a fresh taste of music again, and a fresh look at playing the drums.
Submitted by MRUDOLPH_2000 (Wilmington, NC) 
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Excellent prog rock
Not for someone who doesn't like prog rock. I stop short of giving it a full 5 stars b/c Mars Volta do tend to dawdle in the strange atmospherics a bit much on this cd than on their previous one but when they do hit the rock, they jam out pretty good. I'd describe their cd as- Presence / In Through The Out Door-era Led Zeppelin & early Santana had a love child...
Submitted by coreyistool81 (New Orleans, LA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  what a great cd
this is the best cd i have heard in a long time. it mixes some new age things with great music and lyrics.
Submitted by aprille34 (texas)
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Crazy, crazy, crazy!
I got "Deloused" on the recommendation of a friend, loved-loved-loved it, and had to try out "Francis." Then I found out from an ex-girlfriend that it's the same guys that were in At The Drive-In. How the Hell could that happen? How the Hell could ATDI suck so bad and Mars Volta kick so much ass? The fact that ATDI does suck so bad (and they do) makes Mars Volta all the better and elevates them to the level of one of the most talented and severely under-appreciated bands around. "L'Via L'Viasquez" is one of the hardest-rocking songs produced in a very, very long time and is, honestly, worth buying the entire album.
Submitted by Raymond York (Climax, Virginia)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Ambitious
Yes, ambitious is the word that I think best describes the latest effort from Mars Volta. The conspicuous lack of a 'single' is a step in the right direction for rock music as far as I'm concerned. This disc is dizzying in the best way and at times operatic in its scope and yes, ambition. The notion of a 'concept' album these days is kind of hackneyed, but this is the closest thing we have to harken us back to the days of the true concept albums of Pink Floyd (check out the album cover) and The Who. What pulls it all together of course is the music. These guys are talented and motivated and you hear all of that on this disc. They want you to play it over and over and to question the lyrics, the cryptic titles and muscial flourishes. This album isn't a conceit; rather it's a major step in the "right" direction for today's quesy version of rock and roll (read: Creed; Linkin Park; Stain'd, et.al). If this is progressive, it's progressive in the best sense, recalling classis Yes, King Crimson, Captain Beefhart, and even Tool. Throw in a dash of Led Zeppelin and you have the keyingredients that make up the primary core of this group. Bravo, Mars Volta, for striking out in a fearless manor, hopefully taking rock music into a different, more ambitious direction.
Submitted by stevel0072003 (Palm Harbor, FL.)
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